Filter cartridge sealing means



OC- 15, 1968 K. J. BURKHARDT 3,405,807

FILTER CARTRIDGE SEALING MEANS K. J. BURKHARDT FILTER CARTRIDGE SEALING MEANS Oct. 15, 196s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1967 United States Patent O 3,405,807 FILTER CARTRIDGE SEALING MEANS Kenneth J. Burkhardt, Basking Ridge, NJ., assigner to Union Tank Car Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 8, 1967, Ser. No. 644,710 11 Claims. (CI. 21u-232) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Improved `apparatus for holding an annular filter cartridge in a filter tank. The cartridge is supported by a tubular seat means which is mounted in a partition in the tank. A fastening means extends through the cartridge and has a spring-loaded cartridge-gripping means at one end and a seat-engaging stop means at the other end. A sealing means is provided to seal the junction between the cartridge and the seat means. The sealing means may include an elastomeric gasket interposed between the lcartridge and the seat means, or a cylindrical sleeve positioned within the seat means and partially embedded in the filter cartridge. The sealing means may also include a tubular shield embracing the junction between the cartridge and seat means.

Background, summary, drawings This invention relates to filtration apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved means for holding an annular filter cartridge within a filter tank.

In one type of filter tank designed for use with annular filter cartridges, the tank is partitioned into influent and effluent zones by an internal plate means. The filter cartridges are supported in the influent zone of the tank by tubular seat means which are mounted in the plate means and which also serve to provide a uid path from the iniiuent zone to the efiiuent zone. The filter cartridges are maintained in place on the seat means by suitable fastening means, a very effective and novel form of which is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 3,279,608, issued on Oct. 18, 1966, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

In such filtration systems, the uid to be filtered enters the influent zone of the tank and passes through the filter cartridges whereby impurities are removed. The fluid then passes through the interior of the filter cartridges, and through the seat means to the effluent zone, where it is discharged from the tank. Since it is important that all fluid pass through the filter cartridges before reaching the efiiuent zone, the junction between the seat means and the filter cartridges must be maintained fluid tight in order to prevent leakage of unfiltered fiuid into the seat means. In prior filtration systems of the type described above, the filter cartridge simply rests upon the tubular seat means, with no additional sealing means being provided. Although such an arrangement may be satisfactory for certain applications, it is often desirable to provide means for establishing a more positive seal between the filter cartridge and the seat means.

Accordingly, a principal feature of the improved filter cartridge holding means, which is the subject of the present invention, is the provision of improved sealing means between the filter cartridge and the seat means. In one form of the invention, the sealing means includes a resilient gasket which is interposed between the filter cartridge and the seat means. In another form of the invention, the sealing means includes a cylindrical sleeve which is partially positioned Within the seat means and which is partially embedded in the filter cartridge. In both forms of the invention, a tubular shield may be provided to ern rice brace the junction between the filter cartridge and the seat means in close confinement.

The present invention provides an improved filter cartridge holding means which is adapted to establish a positive fluid seal between the filter cartridge and the seat means. A holding means in accordance with the present invention may be simply and inexpensively constructed, and the provision of a positive seal between the filter cartridge and the seat means in no way impairs the ready access to and removability of the filter cartridges from the filter tank.

The invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, with illustrative reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional elevation of filtration apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side sectional elevation of a form of filter cartridge holding means constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 2, showing an alternative form of cartridge holding means; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5= in FIGURE 4.

Description of exemplary embodiment With reference to FIGURE 1, filtration apparatus embodying the features of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The filtration apparatus 10 comprises a filter tank 12 having an inlet conduit 14 and an outlet conduit 16. The filter tank 12 is a generally cylindrical vessel made of steel, or the like having outwardly convex top and bottom end portions 18 and 2t), respectively. The tank 12 is partitioned into an influent zone 22 and an effluent zone 24 by a downwardly convex tube sheet plate 26 suitably secured to the interior of the tank by Welding or the like.

The inlet conduit 14 enters the tank 12 through the bottom end 20 and passes upwardly through the efiiuent zone 24 and the tube sheet plate 26 to communicate with the infiuent zone 22. The conduit 14 is attached to` the tube sheet plate 26 by welding or the like, so as to preclude uid leakage from the infiuent zone 22 to the effluent zone 24. Fluid entering the infiuent zone 22 through the inlet conduit 14 is distributed radially outwardly by a distribution plate 28 which is mounted within the tank 12 by suitable means (not shown).

Mounted within the influent zone 22 are a plurality of filter cartridges 30 through which influent fluid must pass before entering the efliuent zone 24 and being discharged from the tank 12 through the outlet conduit 16. The filter cartridges 30 are annular in shape, and are preferably Wound from nylon or other suitable natural or synthetic fibers, in familiar fashion. Each of the filter cartridges 30 is supported Within the influent zone 22 by a seat means 40. The seat means 40 are tubular in shape and also serve to provide a iiuid path from the inuent zone 22 to the efiiuent zone 24. The seat means 40 extend through the tube sheet plate 26 and are attached thereto by welding or other suitable means. Embracing the junctions between the filter cartridges 3u and the seat means 40 are tubular shields 44, which will be described in greater detail below.

The filter cartridges 3 are held in place on the seat means 40 by fastening assemblies 52, and the array of filter cartridges is maintained in lateral alignment by an annular member 46 attached to the interior of the tank 12, and by retaining members 48. Particularly appropriate structures for the retaining members 48 and for various forms of the fastening means 52 are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,279,608, issued Oct. 18, 1966. As described taken on the line 3 3 therein's the filter cartridges 3G are placed into and removed from' theV filter tank12 through a Vsmall manhole openingf32 which is ldefined in -the top end 18 of the tank. 'The manhole opening 32 has a cover 34 which may be removed oropened to provide -access to the nterior of the filter tank 12,`

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, there is shown aform of improved filter cartridge `holding-means 5G which 'embodies the features 'of the present invention. The holding means Sti includes, in addition to the seat means 40 and the tubular shield 44, a fastening assembly 52, and a gasket 90. The fastening assembly 52comprises a rod portion 53,'aspring cap 56, a spring 69, a spacer member 62, sealingmeans 74, a clamping member '70,'a V-shaped element 80 and stop means 86. A

vThe rod 53 extends partway into the interior of the filter cartridge 30 and is attached to the V-'shaped member 80 by Welding (as at 82) or other suitable means. -The V-Shaped member 80 terminates in a tapered portion 84 to which is attached the stop means 86. In this instance the stop means 86 consistsof a rivet having a head 88. The head 88 ofthe rivet 86 projects over the end of the seat means 40 and provides a stop against upward force exerted by the -spring 60.

The spring cap 56, which has a central aperture, is maintained in position on the rod 53 by a nut 54 attached to a threadedI portion 53a-of the rod 53. The spring 6i) is confined between an annular flange 58 on the spring cap 56 and4 corresponding tabs 66 on the spacer member 62. The spacer member 62 has a downwardly extending annular hub portion 68 which is apertured to receive the rod 53 and which is separated from the clamping member 70 by the sealing means 74. The sealing means 74 is an elastomeric gasket, O-riiig or the like, and serves to prevent fluid 4from passing into the upper opening of the filter cartridge 30 without first passing through the filter cartridge 'itselff v f A downwardly extending annularange 64 on the spacer member 462 serves to maintain adjacent filtercartridges 30 in spaced relationship. The clamping member 70 is adapted to grip one end of the filter cartridge 3i) and comprises an annular plate made of steel or the like having a central aperture so that it may be placed on the rod 53. A downwardly extending annular flange 72 on the clamping member 70 engages and grips the end of the filter cartridge 30. In this manner, the clamping member 70l holds one end of the filter cartridge 30 and, through the force exerted by the spring 60, prevents the filter cartridge from lifting off the seat means 4t).

The gasket 90 provides a fluid seal between the filter cartridge 30 and the seat means 40. The gasket 90 is preferably of the same cross-sectional configuration and dimension as the filter cartridge 30v and is formed from a resilient material, preferably an elastomer, having a hardness of from about to about 9() Durometer on the filter cartridges YStinfromfthe 'tank :1,2, vforegoingprdabove hardness requirement-'andV willfurtli'er depend-upon expected service conditions suchfastemperature,=thepropL erti'es of theiiuid which isVT toberltered v-:i'ne'ehaical stress, etc. A Y 'j 'Y The gasket-90may be cemented or otherwise attached by suitable meansg tjo the 'end'of theY filter cartridgevi. It'will be noted that the end off the-seat meansf'4tltbites intoV the gasket 9@ slightly, thus enhancing the iiuid'sealtl Attached tothe end of the sead means-40 isthetubular shield 44, which may be made-'ofv-steel 0r the- 'likefflihe lower portion of the shield-"44V is'adaptedlto-'tightlyembrace the seat meansf40, and may beattachedtheretoby welding or other suitable 'meansyfor may simply yhe slightly tapered to provide-a force fit. An .enlarged'p'ortion 44a 'of theshield 44 is adaptedtoeembraceafrrrajor portion ofthe gasket 90.*Theenlargedfportion 44zztermi- Anates in an outwardly 'flaring ang'e 44b;"which servesras a guide fo'rppo'sitionirgoftheffilter cartridge Bfonethe seat means v4tif'l`hus the shield 44"'serves-a'fdual 'rpnrpos`e, inasmuch as it 'assists'in'maintaining'7 theseai betweenlth'e seat means 40 and the filtercartridge 30, andalso assistsn positioning of the cartridge on the seat meansln'additien, the elastomeric gasket tendstof'expand-nnder service conditions, thus pressing-more tightly/against the shield 44 and further enhancing the fiuid seal between'filter cartridge 30 and the'seat means 40. To install a filter cartridge 30 within thetank 12, the cartridge is placed over the rod 53 and the V-shaped member Sti, (and Vthe clamping memberf70,flthe-sealing meansV 74, the spacing member62, the springa() and' the spring cap 56 are 'placed over the rod 53, in that order. The nut`54 is then threaded onto theithrea'ded end portion`53a to complete the fastening Aassembly `52. The cartridge assembly, which comprises the fasening Vassembly 52, the filter cartridge 3) and the gasketf90,is then inserted into the tank-12 -throughrthe'manholetopening-SZ. The tapered end portion 84of the V-shaped member-80-isin-l serted'intothe seatm'eans 4t), and the endofthe filter =car 'tridge 30 which bearsV the gasket "90 is" guieded intofposition emerges Yfromt'he bttom'of the seatimeansv 40, Vat which pointA the pressure on the spring isrel'easxed so that `the head 88 of the rivet 8'6 engages vthe bottom of the seat means. VHThe force Vexerted, by'bthe, `spring 60.. ausesihe gasket 99. to fitfiirmlyagainst the seatmeansf'git) d thus holds the tilterelement3tl andthe asscia'tedo of the fastening means ,52. iirrfilyY infplacel To cedureis simply reversed; v

Turning now to IQIGVLJRESv and a modified form of cartridge vholding means 50"whic'h embodies the features of the present invention. Like referencegnumerals are employed EIGURES 4 an'd 5 where the elements are the same as' thos'ein" the holding means'50 discussed above Withreference to FIGURES 2 and 13. The 'holding means 505. includesta i modified lfastening assembly ',-52' which dilers ffromthe, fasteningassem bly-52V in-athat the rod Sli-extends entirelyv through the `filter cartridge 3.0:-and the, seat meansdmilhe rod- 532mcludes-anl-oftset portion 53b w,hieh terminates in a hook 53e;- The hook 53e performs: the i'. same ,functionlasthe rivet 86 which is attached to the V-shaped member 80 in the fastening assembly 52; i.e., the hook 53e serves as a stop means for resisting the upward force of the spring 60.

It will be noted that in the modified holding means 50', Athe filter cartridge 3G rests directly upon the end of the seat means 40. To seal the junction between the filter cartridge 30 and the seat means 40 there is provided a cylindrical sleeve9 2 having avgroove 94Y to receive an O-ring 96. The fsleeve 9,2 is positioned within thetinterior of the seat means 40,/'and2thelO-ring' 96, which is preferably formed of an elastomeric material, presses firmly against the inner surface of the seat means 40, thus establishing a iiui'd seal. The upper portion of the sleeve 92 extends past the end of the seat means 40 and is actually inserted or embedded in the lower end of the filter cartridge 30. In this manner, uid entering the seat means 40 must first have passed through the filter cartridge 30 itself. Again, the shield 44 provides the dual functions of enhancing the fiuid seal between filter cartridge 30 and the seat means 40, and assisting in the positioning of the filter cartridge during installation.

lInstallation of filter cartridges 30 in association with the modified holding means 50 is accomplished by the same method as that described above in connection with the holding means 50. Typically, the sleeve 92 will be embedded in the end of the -filter cartridge 30 prior to installation.

Although an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention has been described with the requisite particularity, the disclosure is of course only exemplary, Consequently, numerous changes in details of construction, in size, configuration and arrangement of components and materials, and in modes of application will be apparent to those familiar with the art and may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention asset forth in the following claims.

-I claim:

1. In a filter tank having internal plate means for dividing said tank into first and second zones, holding means for holding an annular filter cartridge in said first zone, said holding means comprising: a tubular cartridge seat means mounted in said plate means and extending therethrough so that a first end of said seat means terminates in said first zone and a second end of said seat means communicates with said second zone, said rst end of said seat means being adapted to support a first end of said filter cartridge; an annular resilient gasket interposed between said first end of said filter cartridge and said first end of said seat means; a tubular shield adapted to embrace at least a portion of said gasket and at least a portion of sid seat means in close surrounding confinement; and fastening means for urging said first end of said filter cartridge axially toward said first end of said seat means, said gasket formed of a material of sufiicient resiliency to permit said first end of said seat means to partially embed itself in said gasket to force said gasket into contact with said shield.

2. The holding means of claim 1 wherein said fastening means extends through said filter cartridge and includes stop means for hooking onto said second end of said seat means and spring biased gripping means for gripping said second end of said filter cartridge.

3. The holding means of claim 1 wherein said gasket is formed of an elastomeric material having a hardness rating of from about 50 to about 90 Durometer as measured on the Shore A scale.

y4. The holding means of claim 3 wherein said fastening means has a V-shaped member extending through said filter cartridge, and wherein said stop means is a rivet attached to said V-shaped member.

5. The holding means of claim 3 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber; butyl, nitrile, styrene-butadiene, polysulfide, Buna-N, neoprene, silicone and acrylic synthetic rubbers; uoroelastomers; polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene; tetrauoroethylene; vinyl plastics; impregnated felts; and impregnated plant fiber compositions.

6. The holding means of claim 1 wherein said sealing means includes an annular elastomeric gasket cemented to said first end of said filter cartridge and resting against said first end of Said seat means.

7. T-he holding means of claim 6 wherein said gasket is formed of an elastomeric material having a hardness rating of from about to about 90 Durometer as measured on the Shore A scale.

8. The holding means of claim 7 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber; butyl, nitrile, styrene-butadiene, polysulfide, Buna-N, neoprene, silicone and acrylic synthetic a rubbers; fiuoroelastomers; polyethylene and ch'lorosulfonated polyethylene; tetraiiuoroethylene; vinyl plastics; impregnated felts; and impregnated plant `fiber compositions.

9. In a filter tank having internal plate means for dividing said tank into rst and second zones, holding means for holding an annular filter cartridge in said first zone, said holding means comprising: a tubular cartridge seat means mounted .in said plate means and extending therethrough so that a first end of said seat means terminates in said rst zone and a second end of said seat means communicates with said second zone, said first end of said seat means being adapted to support a first end of said filter cartridge; iiuid sealing means including a cylindrical sleeve having an outer peripheral groove, and a resilient lO-ring in .said groove, said sleeve being positioned within said seat means with said O-ring in intimate sealing contact with the inner surface of said seat means, one end of said sleeve extending beyond said first end of said seat means and being embedded in said first end of said filter cartridge; and fastening means for urging said -first end of said `filter cartridge axially toward said first end of said seat means.

10. The holding means of claim 9 wherein said fastening means extends through said filter cartridge and includes stop means for hooking onto said second en'd of said seat means and spring biased gripping means for gripping said second end of said filter cartridge.

11. The holding means of claim 10 wherein said sealing means additionally includes a tubular shield adapted to simultaneously embrace at least a portion of said filter cartridge and at least a portion of said seat means in close surrounding confinement.

References Cited Book Co., yNew York, 1963 (Table 23-11, pp. 23-60).

REUB-EN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

C. DITLOW, Assistant Examiner. 

